The Supreme Court had told the Centre and the Arunachal Pradesh Government in 2015 that citizenship should be conferred on Chakmas and Hajongs as soon as possible, preferably within three months. But nothing was done in two years. A week ago, the Centre gave a commitment that the court order should be enforced. But minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju who is from Arunachal Pradesh said that the order was not implementable. He wanted modifications to ensure that the rights of the local people in Arunachal Pradesh were not curtailed. All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) is happy with Rijiju’s statement. But the Union and State Government have exposed themselves to the charge of being unable to take a firm and ethical stand.
Migration and citizenship are ticklish issues in India’s North East. Chakmas and Hajongs came to India as refugees from Bangladesh in the 1960s and were settled in NEFA which is now Arunachal Pradesh. A treaty was signed with Bangladesh in 1972. It was agreed that the refugees would be granted citizenship rights. Five thousand of the original fourteen thousand eight hundred and eighty eight persons settled in Arunachal Pradesh are still alive. But the refugee population has increased to nearly a lakh. Many were born in India. They have all along lived in refugee settlements in Arunachal Pradesh. It must be made clear that Chakmas and Hajongs should not be a threat to the cultural identity and social fabric of the indigenous population. The problem arises from the availability of only meagre economic resources and limited job opportunities. Much depends on Rijiju’s attitude. BJPs big plans for the north east may otherwise be set at naught.